DEMING – Deming MainStreet took a big risk in moving its Farmer's and Crafts Market from the Deming downtown business district to the Luna County Courthouse Park.

"We anticipated the move some time ago, but we really didn't now what kind of response we would get," said DMS President Christi Ann Harvey.

The response for Saturday's event was a rousing thumb's up from both vendors and shoppers. The first market of the summer season took place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. around the gazebo at the park. Twelve vendors set up their wares, selling everything from homemade salsas, to antique furniture, handmade costume jewelry and fresh produce.

"I think the move is a good one," said Katie Silva of Katie Jean's Jewelry. "There is more parking available, people can see us better and the shade is a big plus."

Harvey echoed Silva's remarks and added, "We are trying this out to see how it goes. We would like to see more vendors participate and we are expecting to have more produce available in time for our August market."

Speaking of produce, students of Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School participated in Saturday's market and provided green chiles and assorted squash. This is a part of our school's food pantry provided by the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico," said Stan Lyons, principal at DCCCHS. The school provides a food pantry through Roadrunner and is able to provide 50 pounds of food item essentials for as many as 50 families each month.

"We have enough to share here with customers of the Farmer's Market," Lyons said.

Celeste Duty of the 3 C's (Celeste's Crafty Creations) said she heard about the market opportunity at a Community Coalition Meeting held at the La Fonda Restaurant in Deming. "I think it's a great idea for the community to come together and help one another," Duty said.

She puts artificial flower arrangements together in wood settings and also creates decorative signs for the home and garden.

Sandra Magallanes put together a unique table of merchandise that drew attention from curious shoppers. Magallanes imports colorful strands of yarn with a silky appearance and fashions the yarn into elegant body necklaces. The yarn comes from Chihuahua, Mexico and it takes her abut two hours to complete a necklace.

She says the hobby is therapeutic. She has a medical condition that kept her out of work and finds the hobby relaxing.

"So far what we are hearing has been positive," Harvey said of the move from downtown. "We made the decision to come here after several years in the parking lot next to the post office. "We wanted to try a venue that was a little cooler and more inviting."

This is the first of three that are planned at the courthouse park – one each month.

Deming MainStreet is focused on revitalizing the business district with its economies and preserving the character. Specifically, Main Street® banks on three aspects: